Hamilton will make its debut on Disney+ Hotstar this July, marking a significant shift from its initial plan for a theatrical release worldwide in October 2021. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the star, writer, composer, and lyricist of the acclaimed Broadway musical, announced on Tuesday that the filmed version of his 2015 production will become available on July 3, just in time for the celebration of US Independence Day on July 4. The narrative of Hamilton centers on Alexander Hamilton, a pivotal figure among the founding fathers of the United States, portrayed by Miranda himself.
Disney+ has officially verified this announcement through a tweet.
Based on Ron Chernow’s biography, “Alexander Hamilton,” Miranda crafted this stage musical, prominently featuring hip-hop influences. Hamilton first emerged Off-Broadway in early 2015, quickly gathering accolades before transitioning to Broadway, where it became a sensation. The production achieved remarkable feats at the Tony Awards, earning honors akin to those at the Oscars, and it was also awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Following its success, Hamilton has seen productions in Chicago and London’s West End, along with two national tours featuring the original cast. The upcoming Disney+ adaptation will showcase this original cast from 2016.
The release of Hamilton on Disney+ Hotstar is particularly welcome news for enthusiasts of musical theatre and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work, especially amidst the shutdown of theatres, including Broadway, due to the ongoing pandemic. Furthermore, the outbreak has led to the postponement of another Miranda project, In the Heights, which was slated for a film release in June of this year but has now been rescheduled to June 2021. For many, the streaming debut of Hamilton may serve as a compelling substitute during this period.
This release also exemplifies Disney’s ongoing efforts to engage homebound audiences by providing new content ahead of schedule. The studio has previously made titles like Frozen 2, the Pixar film Onward, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker available for streaming well before their planned release dates. While other studios like Universal Pictures (with Trolls World Tour) and Warner Bros. (with Scoob!) have opted for direct video-on-demand releases—though not in India—Disney is set to release its film Artemis Fowl directly on Disney+ Hotstar on June 12.
The streaming debut of Hamilton on July 3 marks Disney’s second release to forego a theatrical run entirely.
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